What consumers pay for in a VCR

November 24, 1999

A major consumers’ magazine reported on 26 characteristics of VCRs in their 1998 buyers’ guide. Of those characteristics, a BLS study found that consumers paid the most for the more sophisticated video platforms: Multi-format converters that can play more than one tape format, dual-deck VCRs, and S-VHS players that produce superior resolution.

Among other price determining characteristics, up-scale brand names and the latest cutting edge features had the most impact. The feature with the largest price tag provides on-screen TV listings with one-touch VCR programming. Other features with a strong impact on price include "flying head" edit features and "index plus."

A separate analysis shows that the number of features alone has a significant impact on the price of a VCR: Those VCRs that are "fully loaded" are generally more expensive no matter what type they are.